READING pulled off a sensational one shot win over defending Kennet League East champions Suttons in the opening Division 1 East match of the new season at Kendrick Hill.

READING pulled off a sensational one shot win over defending Kennet League East champions Suttons in the opening Division 1 East match of the new season at Kendrick Hill.

The visitors had led all the way but with Reading's Vic Waite forcing a 20-20 draw with Paul Cadman's four and both Robert Newman and Mick Mullins pegging back vital shots over the closing ends of their matches, despite losing 17-23 and 15-26 respectively, there was just one shot overall between the sides as Mike Newman's four led 27-11 going into the final end against Duncan Christie's quartet.

With the tension getting to the front bowlers on both sides and fighting shy of the jack it was down to the tail end and, in particular, Newman to put in the decisive shots to take the end by two shots and earn his team the overall win, 81-80.

There was another surprise at Oaken Grove Park where Bracknell pulled off a three shot 76-73 away win over Maidenhead Town. This was thanks in no end to rink wins from Ray Jenkins, 23-12, and John Copeland, 21-12.

Wokingham also got their campaign off to an encouraging start, beating visitors Desborough, 85/66. Skips Dennis Lowther, Micky West and Ray Parker all finished on the plus side.

In Division 2 East Woodley whitewashed newly promoted Wargrave, 80-66, while Maiden Erlegh also took Sunningdale to the cleaners, 92-64, including a 33-16 win for skip Eddie Hedges.

The Royal Household produced one of the evening's biggest winning margins winning their opening Division 3 East match away to Desborough B 107-67. Relegated Suttons B set about their return to Division 2 with a 101-62 win at Chalfont Way over Reading B.

New club captain Bill Ross led the top rink to a 33-14 success while there were other wins for Phil Horsburgh and Tommy Knox.

In Division 1 West reigning Kennet League champions Hagbourne got their title defence off on the right foot winning at Didcot 76-67. Paul Ryman's four were easily on top, winning 27-8.

Thatcham came through a tough opening match against newly promoted Wallingford at Brownsfield Road, winning 80-71.

Tilehurst A also made a promising start at Wardle Avenue where they took all 14 points in a clean sweep of town visitors Trentham's.

League new boys Pangbourne announced their arrival in Division 2 East, blasting promotion favourites Morland 81-77. This was thanks primarily to the efforts of skips Don McLeish and Roy Rosekilly.

Wantage also served notice of their intentions to escape the league in one season with a 115-45 win at Burghfield where Eric Hollinrake, 34-10, chalked up the biggest winning margin.

And in Div. 3 West there were wins for two of the Reading based teams. Jimmy Birkett waded in with 39-10 rink win in Huntley & Palmers 98-66 victory over Milton Hill while at Bowling Green Lane Tilehurst B enjoyed a 86-63 win over hosts Trentham B.

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BERKSHIRE travelled to Yateley to play Hampshire in an inter-county friendly, but lost 9-6 on their final end to go down 117-114 overall.

Berkshire were caught cold from the start as all six rinks lost their first end to go 0-17 behind.

But 14 ends later these 17 shots still separated the two teams with the score reading 92-75 in Hampshire's favour.